Octopus balaclava

A friend of mine requested a balaclava for when she goes ramp skating in winter. She had two requirements. First, that the balaclava not have ears or anything else that might interfere with her helmet. Second, she wanted something pirate themed. Well, I think this is perfect because the tentacles dangle below the helmet and it kinda makes the wearer look like a pirate who’s fallen in the sea and had their head eaten by an octopus. I hope she likes it 🙂

This pattern is written in American crochet notation and uses a 4mm hook and 8 ply wool.

Balaclava

Round 1: 6sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)

Round 2: increase in every stitch (12 stitches)

Round 3: sc in the first stitch, increase in the next stitch – repeat (18 stitches)

Round 4: sc in the first two stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (24 stitches)

Round 5: sc in the first three stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (30 stitches)

Round 6: sc in the first four stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (36 stitches)

Round 7: sc in the first five stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (42 stitches)

Round 8: sc in the first six stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (48 stitches)

Round 9: sc in the first seven stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (54 stitches)

Round 10: sc in the first eight stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (60 stitches)

Round 11: sc in the first nine stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (66 stitches)

Round 12: sc in the first ten stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (72 stitches)

Round 13: sc in the first eleven stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (78 stitches)

Round 14: sc in the first twelve stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (84 stitches)

Round 15: sc in the first thirteen stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (90 stitches)

Round 16: sc in the first fourteen stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (96 stitches)

Round 17: sc in the first fifteen stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (102 stitches)

Round 18: sc in the first sixteen stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (108 stitches)

Rounds 19 – 41: sc in each stitch (108 stitches)

Round 42: slip stitch in the first twelve stitches, sc in the next five stitches, slip stitch in the next twelve stitches and then sc to the end of the round (108 stitches)